Adam Heslop Cup to return

FC Halifax Town’s community football team has secured funding to run the second Adam Heslop Cup, a futsal tournament for local primary schools named after supporter Adam Heslop.

The event will feature a showcase final at North Bridge Leisure Centre on Thursday, June 16.

The tournament is open to primary schools, specifically boys and girls in the year 6 age group, and provides the opportunity for budding football stars to play futsal, a fast moving five-a-side game of South American origin.

Played on a hard, basketball-court sized pitch, using a smaller, weighted and specially designed ball, futsal is cited by many football legends including Cristiano Ronaldo as being the game that made them the players they are today.

Steve Nichol, head of youth, junior and community football development, said: “The project is being supported with a grant awarded by The Football Conference Trust alongside FC Halifax Town. We hope to build on the success of last year’s event where Copley Primary School were crowned winners and the event was attended by FC Halifax Town first team players and management and England C manager Paul Fairclough.

“I’m a firm believer in futsal and its properties as a development tool for young players and this event is a good opportunity to develop the game in the area and offer something a little different. It is an ideal game for schools, it is highly effective for children aged 5-16 years old and is best played on surfaces such as a school hall, gym or tarmac playgrounds. The design of the ball is such that it has a reduced rebound thus encouraging the development of close control and passing, where individual skill and creativity is maximised.

“We made the decision to name the tournament after Adam as he has been part of the FC Halifax Town family for a long time, never missing a game home or away.

Schools can register their interest by contacting David Phelps on community@fchalifaxtown.com or 07703 773 064.

Entry is free but places are limited to a maximum of 12 schools.

As well as participation in the tournament all schools who enter will receive a free coaching session to introduce pupils to the game.